ADRIAN — Roger Myers greeted a steady stream of well-wishers at an open house reception Friday afternoon as he closed out a career of nearly 40 years leading the development of mental health services in Lenawee County.

“I can’t imagine working any other place for 39 years,” Myers said.

He is leaving a staff and a community of human service agencies that he said have worked closely together for decades to serve the people of Lenawee County. A culture of cooperation among local agencies has grown since he took over the county’s fledgling community mental health agency in 1973.

The agency’s only staff when he started was a secretary/bookkeeper, Myers said. There are now 65 people and an annual budget of more than $16 million.

Change is in store for many services provided through the Lenawee County Community Mental Health Authority because of new health care laws. Myers said he is confident his agency is prepared for the future.

“There will be a lot of changes. We’re not sure what they’re all going to turn out to be, but it’s exciting,” Myers said.

“We have the right change agents in place,” he said.

The agency’s new executive director, Sandra Keener, “is a natural successor to me,” he said.

Changes in Myers’ future are also uncertain, he said. There are no definite plans, he said, but he is looking toward opportunities to continue serving the community.

Myers said he was also uncertain about his future when he came to Lenawee County in 1973.

After college, he said, he had a vague goal of becoming a funeral director and owning his own business. The Illinois native sought work in the Chicago area while his wife completed her college degree. He was sent to apply for a case worker position at Manteno State Hospital. He worked three years at the 8,000-bed facility, becoming an administrator in the geriatric division, he said.

He and his wife were looking to move to Michigan in 1973 and he sent his resume to hospitals across the state, he said. The administrator of Bixby Hospital connected Myers with a newly formed board for a county community mental health agency.

He never looked back after starting down that career path, he said.

Myers said he credits people who served on the agency board as well as officials from other county human service agencies and the county commission for developing a successful program.

“I’ve had a board that’s been united in its mission,” Myers said.

While agencies in other counties in Michigan have encountered political conflicts and turf battles, he said, Lenawee County officials and human service workers have developed what he believes is an extraordinary level of cooperation.

Page 2 of 2 - Myers’ efforts were recognized in resolutions from the Lenawee County Commission and from the Michigan Legislature.

“Under Roger’s leadership, the community has been both enlightened and educated on mental health issues,” said the county commission resolution, “and this has built a secure foundation for others to recognize and acknowledge mental health issues, the confidence to seek help, and the ability to find the best treatment options available.”